Watching Paint Dry or Peel – whatever the saying is!!

I have just spent 3 weeks in Granada, Nicaragua, as base for my travels in this country. I am not sure what to say, for the first time I was little bored, which for me is strange (not much culture around)

The history of this country is tough, and President Daniel Ortega is still in power. I read 2 books here, one about his life, but not sure how much is hearsay, he never gives interviews of any kind. The other was brilliant book of the history of country written for The David Rockefeller Foundation, which could be spy or thriller novel!

Granada is small, maybe 100,000 people, it’s very pretty colonial city, with horse and carriage as a popular way of transportation

and there is a beautiful square.

My flat was just off the square. The apartment a part of a big home with a living room, a kitchen, a bathroom, a large bedroom loft and a winding staircase (for 20 days, it cost me 480 US, that included maid service every day).

I was very lucky to get this because very large Central American Poet Festival is here at same time. Thanks to friend Tuey who lives here, I met her in Mexico at International Living Conference couple of years ago! She also has large home for sale that I am going to see for possible BMT.

Nicaragua a is poor country, lots of NGOs, it’s very third world. The people are gentle, but I had 3 locks to get into my flat, (hard work). They say thieves, will not take your bag as long as it on you, but if leave it on a chair, say goodbye!

I left small bag full of gifts on top of an ATM at a bank for 2 minutes, in front of guards, it disappeared, even though cameras are there, but the bank won’t look at videos until head office security shows up, which takes 2 weeks.

(Think thieves have it pretty good)

The prices are very affordable, much less than Costa Rica, the best example, was a personal trainer, she charged 14.95 US (I couldn’t believe it, and she was US trainer).

There are lots of Canadian tourists, many more than USA.

HINT: if you travel here ask if you have hot water, electricity is very expensive and a number of even the best places do not have hot water, they call it fresh water (luckily I asked)!!!! Also air-con, is limited, there are high ceilings, with lots of ceiling fans and other fans.

When I visited Tuey and her beautiful home, it was about 2 hours from Granada, closer to the capital, Managua. The driver’s name was Denis and he spoke excellent English and was now living in Nicaragua, but he had lived in Canada for number of years. Tuey and David live in a beautiful area that is being developed very slowly.

The sunrises and sunsets are speculator and the ocean is amazing. They were perfect hosts and very generous, with giving me information, feeding me (I had pizza for the first time in 6 months), and taking me around.

I am now in hotel, before I fly out tomorrow, and will be glued to the TV watching Academy Awards tonight!

Breakthrough! I had a great Spanish teacher, Roger, that got through to me, I could do this, I am not great, but it is beginning and if I do come back he will give me lessons by Skype.

It will be interesting to watch Nicaragua and see how they develop and maintain themselves in the future. I am told Ortega’ s wife is the brains and will run for President!!

Extra:

I need some time to reflect on what I have seen, experienced and what all of this means for my future.

I feel so blessed; it has been a most amazing journey for the last 6 months! From beginning to end, I will reflect and report back!

Back to winter, from 36 degrees Celsius!!

Thank you all!!

Betty